From: ricksonml@aol.com
Sent: Friday, February 09, 2001 8:34 AM
To: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Downed animals!!
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Dockets Management Branch
5630 Fishers Lane, Room 1061
Rockville, MD 20852
FAX: 301-827-6870
E-mail: FDADockets@oc.fda.gov
Re: DOCKET NUMBER 98P-0151/CP1
To The FDA:
I urge you to grant Petition 98P-0151/CP1 to prohibit the inhumane treatment
of downed (already suffering and sick) animals for the following reasons:
1. Animals too sick or injured even to stand should not be allowed to
enter the human food chain. In addition to posing an increased risk for
bacterial contamination, there is evidence that some downed animals may be
afflicted with a form of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or "Mad Cow
Disease"), a disease which has been linked to a fatal human illness (CJD or
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease).
2. It is impossible to move downed animals humanely, and they are
typically
pushed with tractors or dragged with chains - inhumane processes which
cause
injuries ranging from bruises and abrasions, to broken bones and torn
ligaments. This is an outrage.
3. Downed animals comprise a very small percentage of animals slaughtered,
and prohibiting their marketing will cause no undue economic hardship.
4. 90% percent of downed animals can be prevented with better care and
handling according to industry experts. Removing the market for downed
animals will provide an incentive to industry to prevent downed animals in
the first place.
This common-sense measure requires that animals who are too sick to stand
("downed animals") be humanely euthanized at stockyards. It's only human.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Michelle L. Rickson
AnimalVoices
We Speak For Critters Who Can't
#10 5th Street
Scotia, NY 12302
ricksonml@aol.com